The Silver Queen [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"As I said, we're heading to the Oak, which is nearby," Zevran says soothingly. Then, as a thought occurs, he glances at Helene. "Though if you have names and a description- or can draw a picture- then perhaps Seeker Helene can divine something?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I..."

She hesitates, then, biting her lower lip. "It isn't... exactly... they don't share a surname, but... my family are the Smiths, Jaina and Kyle and their son Will. Please, if there's any information, I... if they're still in the middle of it, you can drop me off, I can handle myself to get them out if I can purchase-- ah, or, perhaps borrow a weapon?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Can you now?" Zevran asks thoughtfully, then sets that aside. "I suspect that's not enough to work with, Seeker?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "Do you have a likeness or possession?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"no, I... I left all my things behind, in Glaley, when we departed."

[Tethras Clan]

"Have you any skill at drawing?" Zevran suggests.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"No, I... I was a fencer, a champion-level fencer, and I had some small skill with dance, and with reading aloud. No drawing or music, those were never my talents."

[Tethras Clan]

"How is your memory and ability to describe things?" Zevran tries one last time. "Helene is very skilled, perhaps they can take your words and craft the image?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I.. I can certainly try," she says, swallowing.

[Tethras Clan]

"Good lass," Zevran says with an attempt at a warm smile. Hopefully with a picture, a name, and someone who knows them well assisting, Helene will be able to get past the city-wards. Presuming that Nyra sold them anti-scrying wards in the first place, come to think of it. "That's all the... personal questions I have for you today, but I'd like to ask you about your... about Ozymandias rather. If you know anything, no matter how small, about his operations, perhaps it can save lives."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I don't know about Jalzaid," she says slowly. "But in Glaley... He operated in Glaley personally, for a time. I assume he left behind informants, middlemen, factors. His right-hand woman in Glaley was Tessa, operating under pretense of being a Warbound, but he removed her to Jalzaid when he left. He had at least four generals under him," she adds, and goes on to rattle off aliases, descriptions, known sightings. At times, she struggles to remember things; at times, she hedges a little. But otherwise, she's able to give what was surely a complete dossier eight months ago.

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran nods at first, pleased to get a few leads. As she continues- and continues- to give out information, details, observations, his face goes slack, then worried. "How do you know all of this?" he asks when she pauses to think once again.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I.." she begins, faltering. "I did research," she says, after a moment. "I can make myself hidden when I need to."

[Tethras Clan]

"Well enough to give combat analysis for four of his lieutenants?" Zevran says skeptically.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I..."

Pull yourself together! She hasn't heard Gold's voice, even in her mind, for some months; her stomach churns to hear it now. Are you the Silver Scale or just some silly empty-headed noble?

"I was hoping to deliver the information to the Shields," she says slowly. "I was working with a local hero, the Golden Avenger."